Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Our Digital Society Needs One Thing

We live in a society dominated and powered by digital communication. Indeed, we are part of a Digital Society, one composed of powerful voices, each proselyting diametric views. There are many ignored voices that deserve and need to be heard.

These voices can only be heardif change happens. Our Digital Society has the potential to spur change or inhibit change, based on the way each of us decides to act.We need to be aware of the way we use digital media so that we can understand where we might better society through our use of technology.

Here are three ignored voices that you need to hear: 1. Change in the integration of technology in the learning process;2. Change in the toleration of radicalism online; and 3. Change in the media's perception of women.

Resisting Technological Change Hurts the Future

Currently the older generations are resistant to technological change, which hinders the progress and development of children and students. Because of this, the youth must learn on their own, often resulting in endless hours on social media and other time-wasters outside of the classroom.

Students are wasting their precious time, trying to learn through our digital world, but they need instruction. The teachingof how to use and apply the digital world properly should be taking place in the classroom and at home by parents and teachers. If these older generations embrace change and educate themselves on how to integrate technology into the learning process, students will quickly learn how to utilize it maturely and efficiently. Change is necessary to ensure a brighter future.

Tolerating Today's Tolerance

As social media continues to gain traction, our society itself adapts by implementing new cultural norms. Consequently, the internet has become a domain of freedom and transparency, where opinions, complaints and feedback circulate at an unprecedented rate.

Previously, extreme ideas were naturally filtered. Only in rare instances was the voice of the minority able to trump that of the majority. Today, however, every idea is given equal weight, regardless of how radical it may be. Mark Zuckerberg has said that "the internet gives everyone a voice." While this is an amazing asset to our digital society, it becomes problematic when the most intolerant and prejudiced voices expect tolerance, and, in some cases, integration.

Because society is still learning to navigate the nuances of digital communication, the checks and balances that previously governed traditional forms of communication are not yet developed. The internet has created an overly tolerant digital environment, which in turn breeds and spreads radicalism.

21st Century Media Can Combat Sexism

We all have women in our lives who are tremendous examples of power, intelligence, ambition and virtue. Movies, television, literature and video games, however, often portray women as sex objects and simpletons. Women deserve to be treated as equals,and I believe that these same forms of media that compose our digital society can help. These tools must be used to educate and empower men and women to trigger a positive change in the treatment and perception of women.

Our movies and TV shows need more powerful female protagonists. We need less video games like Grand Theft Auto. We need forms of media that empower men and women to see the possibilities we can achieve by working together.

In a 2012 TED Talk, Colin Stokes poses the probing question on this very topic: "Why is there so much Force ... in the movies we have for our kids, and so little yellow brick road?" Movies and digital media don't need to have violence, force or sexuality surrounding women. Instead, the media we participate in can change to create a positive perception of women who solve problems using their talents, intelligence, and ingenuity.

While some of you may disagree with our views, we are passionate about these areas where change is needed. The three of us can only do so much, but with your help we can share these ideas to create real and lasting change in our digital society.